Find orientation and new student events in the Cal Events app. Events are updated in the Golden Bear Orientation Guide between April and August for fall start, and October and December for January start.
Wondering about what you need to bring? Each residence hall room is pre-furnished with a desk, bed, drawers, shelf space for each student, as well as a MicroChill refrigerator and microwave combo unit. Below is a list of items that students have found useful to bring to campus. Note that you won’t need everything on the list; it’s up to you.
As you work on packing things for your room, there are some other helpful things to do before you arrive or early in the semester to make your life easier once school starts. For instance checking that your immunizations are current, confirm your meal plan meets your needs, and review the available resources to help you prepare, like Bears for Financial Success and Means and Matters, a destination for you to learn more about how money impacts the environment, courtesy of Bank of the West*, the Official bank of UC Berkeley.
* UC Berkeley students are not required to have a Bank of the West account to use any aspect of the Cal 1 Card student ID, including the Cal 1 Card’s debit feature. Bank of the West is a Member of FDIC.
Checklist: What to Bring
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Alarm clock
Bath towels
Bed sheets (twin extra-long)
Pillow
Bicycle and bike lock
Computer
Desk lamp (not Halogen) and CFL/LED lightbulbs
Detergent
Disinfectant cleanser and cleaning supplies for your room
Ear plugs
Extension cord/power strip
Face coverings or masks, at least five reusable and washable ones
Facial tissues
First aid kit with a thermometer
Go Bag for general preparedness, with 72 hours of essential items
Hand sanitizer, travel size and for your room
Hand soap, travel size
Hangers
Headphones
Laundry basket
Lock for bathroom locker
Mattress pad
Medical information (insurance card, doctor's contact, etc.)
Mini dry-erase board
Music player/stereo system
No touch door opener tool
Pain relievers and other over-the counter-medicines
Plates, cups, silverware
Prescription or ongoing medications for one month and a copy of your prescription. Plan ahead for refills.
Printer* (Note that wireless printers are not permitted. Additionally, printing is available in the Academic Centers in the residence halls.)
Reusable grocery bags
Reusable water bottle
Rubbing alcohol or UV sanitizer for cleaning electronics
Note: Residence hall rooms will include a MicroChill refrigerator and microwave combo in each room. Personal microwaves and refrigerators are not allowed in residence hall rooms.
What NOT to Bring
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Candles or incense
Decorative string lights
Electric cooking implements (anything with coils)
Extra furniture, storage containers and other bulky items (wait until you've settled in to determine what you really need)
Heaters
Halogen lights
Home network devices such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, smart bulbs, and smart outlets. (These devices often will not work on AirBears2 or CalVisitor, the campus wireless networks.)
Microwave (There is already a microwave in your room!)
Refrigerator (There is already a mini refrigerator in your room!)
Pets
Satellite dishes
Toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates
Wireless routers (These devices are not permitted because they interfere with the campus AirBears2 wireless network.)